Celebrate the Art of Pie: Join Our Ultimate Pie Extravaganza & Win a Whirlpool Range!

This week, the digital baking community comes alive as pie enthusiasts from around the globe converge to honor a beloved American classic. We’re launching our “Love the Pie” event, a heartwarming celebration of all things pie, where you can share your cherished recipes, connect with fellow bakers, and even stand a chance to win a brand new Whirlpool Gold® 6.2 cu. ft. Capacity Induction Range with TimeSavor™ Plus True Convection Cooking System!

The Enduring Allure of Pie: More Than Just a Dessert

As acclaimed baking authority Ken Haedrich, founder of The Pie Academy, eloquently puts it:

“People love to make pie for a variety of different reasons. For some, it’s a welcome, tactile relief from the tedium of their nine to five job. For others, it’s about creating a family tradition or a legacy they can pass on to their children. For still others, it’s all about sharing and the sheer joy that comes from making a pie and giving it away to a neighbor or friend.”

Indeed, pie is much more than just a sweet treat; it’s an experience, a memory, and an act of love. Whether you’re kneading dough, perfecting a lattice crust, or savoring that first warm slice, pie connects us to tradition, creativity, and community. It offers a soothing escape for the home baker, transforming simple ingredients into edible masterpieces that bring smiles to faces.

Fascinating Pie Fun Facts: A Deeper Dive

Let’s delve into some intriguing insights about our beloved pastry, courtesy of a 2008 survey by Crisco® and the American Pie Council:

• America’s Top Picks: A significant portion of Americans (19%) crown apple pie as their ultimate favorite, a testament to its timeless appeal. Pumpkin (13%) and pecan (12%) follow closely, dominating holiday tables, while banana cream (10%) and cherry (9%) offer delightful fruity and creamy alternatives. Each choice tells a story of personal preference and regional culinary heritage.
• Beyond Dessert: Pie’s Versatility: Who says pie is only for after dinner? A remarkable 35% of Americans confess to enjoying pie for breakfast, proving its irresistible charm at any hour. Its popularity extends to lunch (66%) and even midnight snacks (59%), highlighting pie’s incredible adaptability and its role as an ultimate comfort food, perfect for any craving.
• The Ultimate Holiday Contribution: When asked what dessert they’d most want a friend or family member to bring to a holiday dinner, pie emerged as the clear winner with 29% of the votes. This speaks volumes about its cherished status as a centerpiece for festive gatherings, often outshining cake (17%) and cookies (15%), which rounded out the top three.
• Pie in Bed: A Secret Indulgence: More than a third of Americans admit to having eaten pie in bed. This fun fact perfectly encapsulates pie’s role as a personal indulgence, a private moment of joy and comfort, far removed from formal dining settings.
• The Pride of the Pie Maker: Nearly one in four women confidently believe they bake the best pie—even better than Mom or Grandma! This friendly rivalry underscores the passion and pride bakers invest in their craft, constantly striving for that perfect crust and filling.
• A Taste of History: Pumpkin pie, now an indispensable part of Thanksgiving, made its debut at the pilgrims’ second Thanksgiving feast in 1623. This historical note reminds us that pie is woven into the very fabric of American holiday traditions, evolving from simple sustenance to an iconic symbol of gratitude and togetherness.

Thanksgiving and the Grand Pie Selection

For me, the most delightful challenge of Thanksgiving isn’t roasting the turkey, but deciding which glorious pie to sample first! The dessert table, laden with a cornucopia of sweet, savory, and tart options, becomes a vibrant tapestry of culinary artistry. This annual dilemma, a testament to the sheer variety and joy of pie, underscores the importance of having the right tools to bring these delicious visions to life. Imagine the possibilities, the perfect flaky crusts and bubbling fillings, all baked to perfection in a state-of-the-art appliance.

Elevate Your Baking Experience: Introducing the Whirlpool Gold® Induction Range

Just six weeks ago, my kitchen underwent a magnificent transformation with a suite of new Whirlpool appliances. The difference has been astounding! Opening my new 29 cu. ft. refrigerator means effortless visibility; no more forgotten leftovers lurking in dark corners. My Dishwasher is a marvel, offering a convenient Top Rack Wash Option for smaller loads and intelligently adapting its wash and dry settings with dual sensors that detect temperature, soil level, and load size. The extra counter space I gained by installing my new microwave over the range has been invaluable, and its CleanRelease® non-stick interior makes cleaning an absolute breeze. However, the true star of my kitchen upgrade, the appliance that has stolen my heart and transformed my baking, is my new range with induction and convection cooking!

Key Features of the Whirlpool Gold® 6.2 cu. ft. Capacity Induction Range

This Whirlpool Gold® 6.2 cu. ft. Capacity Induction Range with TimeSavor™ Plus True Convection Cooking System is a baker’s dream, packed with features designed to deliver superior results and simplify your cooking process:

• AccuBake® Temperature Management System: For pie lovers, consistent oven temperature is paramount to prevent burnt edges or undercooked centers. The AccuBake® system utilizes a built-in sensor that constantly monitors and precisely controls the oven’s heating elements, ensuring uniform baking. This means perfectly golden, evenly cooked pies every single time, eliminating guesswork and baking disappointments.
• TimeSavor™ Plus True Convection Cooking System: Achieve professional-level baking and roasting with this advanced system. A dedicated rear fan and a third heating element actively circulate hot air throughout the oven cavity. This powerful convection action envelops food from all sides, leading to quicker baking times (up to 30% faster for roasting!) and beautifully even results. For pies, this translates to perfectly crisp, flaky crusts and evenly set fillings, sealing in flavors and juices for an unparalleled taste experience.
• AquaLift™ Self-Clean Technology: The thought of cleaning a messy oven can deter even the most passionate baker. Whirlpool’s AquaLift™ technology offers an ingenious solution, delivering an easy and odor-free cleaning cycle in just 50 minutes. This energy-efficient self-cleaning method uses water and low heat to gently release baked-on foods from the oven’s interior, which can then be effortlessly wiped away with a dry towel. Spend less time scrubbing and more time baking!
• Induction Cooking Technology: Experience the future of stovetop cooking. This cutting-edge cooktop provides faster, more energy-efficient cooking and remarkably easy cleanup. The powerful 9-inch, 3,200-watt Induction Boost element can boil water in half the time compared to traditional electric elements. Induction works by transferring energy directly into any magnetic cookware, heating the pot itself rather than the cooktop surface. This precision heating offers instant temperature control, making it ideal for delicate custards or quickly bringing pie fillings to a boil. Plus, since the cooktop surface stays cooler, spills are less likely to bake on, making cleanup a breeze.
• Rapid Preheat: When time is of the essence, especially during holiday preparations, Rapid Preheat is a game-changer. By utilizing all heating elements along with the rear fan, the oven heats up quickly and efficiently. This feature can save you valuable time, offering 25% faster preheating for single-rack baking, so you can get your pies into the oven without delay.
• EasyView™ Extra-Large Oven Window: Peeking into the oven often means opening the door, which causes heat loss and can affect baking consistency. With the industry’s largest EasyView™ extra-large oven window, you can keep a close eye on your culinary creations without disturbing the oven’s internal temperature. Monitor your pie crusts as they brown and fillings as they bubble, ensuring perfect results every time without compromise.

It’s truly amazing, isn’t it? I’ve always loved spending time in the kitchen, but with these incredible appliances, I find myself never wanting to leave!

Unmissable Giveaways: Your Chance to Win Big!

My wonderful friends at Whirlpool share our passion for pie and are generously offering one lucky TidyMom reader the very same range I adore! Imagine crafting your next masterpiece on the incredible Whirlpool Gold® 6.2 cu. ft. Capacity Induction Range with TimeSavor™ Plus True Convection Cooking System. This is your chance to elevate your baking game and transform your kitchen!

Unlock Your Inner Pie Master with The Pie Academy

To further inspire your baking journey, my esteemed friend Ken Haedrich, one of the nation’s leading baking authorities and a bestselling author, extends an invitation for you to join The Pie Academy. Best of all, it’s completely FREE! The Pie Academy is a vibrant online community dedicated to empowering anyone to learn the art of making magnificent pies from scratch. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced baker, Ken’s expert guidance will help you master the techniques for perfect crusts, delectable fillings, and stunning presentations.

In addition to the Whirlpool range, Ken is offering an exceptional prize package to another fortunate TidyMom reader: signed copies of his bestselling Pie book and The Old Farmer’s Everyday Baking Almanac, alongside a premium Le Creuset Pie Plate. These invaluable resources and high-quality bakeware will undoubtedly become cherished tools in your quest for pie perfection.

Some truly fabulous giveaways, wouldn’t you agree?

How to Enter Our “Love the Pie” Celebration

Ready to join the fun and enter for your chance to win these incredible prizes? Here’s how to participate in our “Love the Pie” event:

1. Share Your Recipe on Your Blog: Write and publish a blog post featuring your favorite pie, tart, or cobbler recipe. This can be a brand new recipe or an existing post from your archives. The key is to celebrate pie!
2. Include Essential Linkage: Within your blog post, you MUST include the following line to be eligible for prizes:

   “Come join Love the Pie with TidyMom  sponsored by Whirlpool and enter to win a new Whirlpool Range”

   Please ensure you link back to this post and include this specific text.

3. Submit Your Link: After publishing your post, add the direct link to your pie recipe blog post to the InLinkz widget (which would appear below this section). You may link up to two posts! Once linked, be sure to use the Rafflecopter widget (which would appear at the very end of this post) to complete your giveaway entry.
4. No Blog? No Problem! If you don’t have a blog, you can still participate! Simply leave your recipe in the comments section of this post (one recipe per person/email address). After leaving your comment, remember to use the Rafflecopter widget (at the end of this post) to officially enter the giveaway.

Keep an eye out for the #LovethePie hashtag across social media platforms like Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram to discover more delicious recipes and connect with fellow pie lovers!

The linky for submissions will remain open through November 19, 2012. While anyone can participate in sharing their recipes, please note that prizes will only be shipped to US addresses. It is crucial to follow all directions within the Rafflecopter widget (located at the very end of this post) to ensure your entry is counted for the giveaway.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me at tidymom (at) charter (dot) net.

 

 

Disclosure: I have a working relationship with Whirlpool Corporation. As part of that relationship, I was thrilled to have Whirlpool be the official sponsor of Love the Pie 2012. As always, all opinions and views are my own. Giveaways sponsored by Whirlpool and Ken Haedrich.